The jury included Variety’s Chief Editor Peter Debruge, IndieWire editor-at-large Anne Thompson, Allison Abbate (EVP, Warner Animation Group), Justin Chang (Los Angeles Times film critic), Melissa Cobb (VP, Kids and Family, Netflix), Carolyn Giardina (Editor, The Hollywood Reporter), Jorge R. Gutierrez (director, “The Book of Life,” “Son of Jaguar”), Jennifer Yuh Nelson (director, “Kung Fu Panda” sequels, “Darkest Minds”), Charles Solomon (critic and animation historian), Mabel Tam (VP and head film buyer, Landmark Theaters).

The motivation of the jury was: “We voted to give a special jury prize to ‘Marona’s Fantastic Tale’ for its visual artistry and overall emotional impact. Rather than emulating the language of live-action, writer-director Anca Damian uses the native potential of animation to its fullest”.